August 29, 2008
Top Ten Things I've Learned About Reflux…
10. Pediatricians often say that babies with reflux will "grow out of it" by age one. They're lying. The pukes just get bigger and more colorful.
9. Parents who talk about how their baby "throws up all the time" really have no clue. If the clean-up process doesn't involve a shower, at least two changes of clothes, a steam-cleaner and/or a mop then it really doesn't qualify as "throwing up".
8. It is entirely possible to both generate and process 12 loads of laundry in a single day.
7. Wall-to-wall linoleum, a floor drain and a hose reel are perfectly sensible design elements for a home.
6. It is entirely possible for a child with reflux to plaster himself, you, his sibling, the inside of your purse and the cat with one puke.
5. The event listed above will ALWAYS happen when you are on your way out the door and already five minutes late.
4. Airplane barf bags are entirely too small to be of any use.
3. HAZMAT procedures aren't just for businesses and professionals — refluxer parents never leave home without them.
2. A refluxer's well-packed diaper bag includes: Several large plastic bags, a large towel, at least three changes of clothes for the kiddo, an extra T-shirt for each parent, and a travel-sized can of Lysol.
1. As a parent of two refluxers, I am capable of indulging in any manner of nonsense in what is generally a futile attempt to distract my child from puking — Including but not limited to pig-snorting the notes to Beethoven's 5th.
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13 Comments on Top Ten Things I've Learned About Reflux… »
#1 - Alicia @ Experiencing Each Moment @ 3:42 pm
Is it possible to have the dosage increased? I have one child with reflux, and what you are experiencing is awful!
#2 - Deborah @ 4:30 pm
Love the list, and unfortunately, I can totally relate!
#3 - Alesha @ 4:43 pm
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!
Alesha
(mom to re-fluxer Isaac)
#4 - Heidi @ 5:01 pm
How about to add:
* Most reflux medicines do NOT actually stop your child from spitting up.
* Children (and adults) can have damaging & severe reflux even if they never spit up.
#5 - Melody @ 5:38 pm
OMG, OMG, OMG *hyperventilates* Another human who totally gets it. The LOL
And why one of my sons was severe enough for the corrective surgery, but the other was not always escaped my understanding. From what I could tell the copious amounts and frequency of pukes were equal…as were medications, the tests which I forget what they were called, the heart/apnea monitors because of aspiration, the multiple resusitations, the feed him, sit him upright in the infant seat and run before the projectile vomit hits you…
Too bad we did not go through this at the same time. We could have had coffee and discussed projectile vomiting and all its thrills.
#6 - Marita @ 6:04 pm
How can one child cover the bed, the wall, the floor, her parents and her pillow with vomit yet remain unsullied herself? Boggles the mind it does.
#7 - Kristie @ 7:05 pm
This so so true. My last three babies were pukers and one still is.
#8 - Maddy @ 8:31 pm
Dearie, dearie me. Two of my worst were when one did his technicolour vomit from the top bunk bed [words to the wise, this is not a good option - the bunk beds that is to say]
The other time was when I had all three of them in the bath together when he stood up and puked over both of them in a horizontal arc to catch me too.
To say I was in a state of shock would be an understatement, I was literally frozen as I had no idea what to do next.
Cheers
#9 - Candace @ 9:42 pm
This list is so true. I was just telling my husband today that I found a new "splash" on the entertainment center from one of yesterday's episodes. It is amazing where you find the remnants.
#10 - Tammy and Parker @ 10:11 pm
And, of course, it always takes place right after administering the medication that stains the worst and cost the most..sigh…
Oh. Yeah. Been there.
#11 - Micki @ 12:58 am
Oh amen. I have four refluxers. On a daily basis we're finally doing okay. But heaven forbid just one of them even get a cold and then vomiting ensues. Any illness, or even tantrums just set them all off. Ah, the joys of genetics!
My hubby used to laugh if he came home and there were blankets and quilts all over the floor. Now he knows that's a signal for a rough day. It's easier to pick up blankets and throw them in the wash than to haul out buckets and a carpet cleaner.
I do count my blessings that they haven't all had it as badly as my first. Poor kid had multiple medications and procedures until he was four. Outgrow by the age of one? In my dreams, buddy. In my dreams.
#12 - Susan (5 Minutes for Mom) @ 1:28 pm
Oh my goodness!!!!
I am so thankful that I cannot relate… but I feel so badly for you and all those who have commented sharing their stories. How terrible!!!
#13 - Stephan Hanson @ 10:15 pm
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